A Best Practice and Applications Guide To Industrial Floor Marking

Floor Marking
Guide
A best practice and applications guide to industrial floor
marking
Contents
Why Mark Your Floors? . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . 3
Applications ........................ 4 Safety and Efficiency
Improvements . . . . . . . . . . 7 Standards and
Regulations ............... 9 Choosing the Best Method ........
........ 12 Floor Marking Tips .................... 20 Glow-in-the-
Dark Floor Marking ............. 21 Floor Marking Signs . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Creative Safety Supply is a global supplier of Safety and Lean products and manufacturer of leading brands such
as LabelTac® Label & Sign Printers and SafetyTac® Industrial Floor Tapes. Additionally, Creative Safety Supply offers
a wide selection of floor signs, wall signs and other high visibility signage solutions.
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reserved. No part of this document or accompanying files may be The author and/or all associated contributors take no responsibility for
reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or otherwise, by any any errors or omissions if such discrepancies exist within this document.
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a substitution for any professional advice. The contents herein are based by any and all readers of the materials provided. It is the readers sole
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document, it is apparent technologies rapidly change. Therefore, the perception of the contents herein, and thus no guarantees, monetarily or
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Floor Marking Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

2
Why Mark Your Floors?
Utilized in every kind of professional facility, from small schools and gymnasiums to
large, full-scale manufacturing and chemical processing plants, strategically employed
floor marking makes open space easier for workers and visitors to understand.
Because it relays important information at the location and time it’s needed, floor
marking creates a safer, more efficient facility.
In many cases, floor marking lines are required by the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) and other government agencies.
In this guide we will discuss common and creative applications for floor marking,
floor marking products, and tips for using floor markings.
Floor Marking Guide | creativesafetysupply.com

3
3
Applications
While there are many creative ways a facility can employ floor markings, the following
are among the most utilized applications.
Hazardous Areas
It is critical to visually alert employees and visitors to potentially hazardous areas.

Place floor marking in front of and around:
 Areas in a building that contain a known hazard, such as toxic chemicals or

potentially high concentrations of airborne particulates
 Electrical panels
 Potentially hazardous equipment or machinery
 “Open pit” or tripping hazards (these are the most common floor marking-related OSHA
violation)

3
4
Product and Material Storage
Many facilities utilize floor marking in product and material storage areas to
communicate to employees where they can find what they need. These markings can be
temporary for holding areas where products in various stages of production are kept or
permanent for long-term storage areas that house finished products or raw materials.
Considered a key component

of the 5S process in lean
manufacturing, this application
of floor marking yields gains
in efficiency and safety
by reducing worker
confusion.
Equipment and Tools
Placing outlines around equipment and tools is another common application

of floor marking.
An example of this is placing white tape around the base of portable tools or machinery to
indicate its proper location. This eliminates the time employees would waste searching
for needed resources. Outlining machinery also enhances safety because the line can
indicate the reach of the machine’s components and the space it needs to operate.

3
5
Traffic Routes
The most common application of floor

marking is pedestrian and vehicle
pathway markings. Forklift collisions with
workers are a major cause of workplace
fatalities and are a clear indicator of the
importance of clearly marked traffic
routes.
Marking emergency exit routes using

directional arrows and
photoluminescent lines is also crucial
for safety. If done properly, floor
marking will allow employees and
visitors to easily navigate your facility
with no training.
Workplace Communication
Floor markings are a visual

communication tool with many
applications. They can be used to
communicate about where operators
should stand while using a tool or
machine, what areas employees must
avoid, and where smoking is allowed.
The need for thoughtful and creative
visual communication exists whenever
and wherever important information
needs to be conveyed.

3
6
Safety and Efficiency Improvements
Improving Safety
Floor marking creates a safer work area by

Some examples of floor
making that area easier to understand. A
marking for safety:
safer workplace will result even from
applications not usually thought of as safety- • Vehicular traffic paths
related. For example, having the floor marked • Aisle markings
for tool and equipment locations reduces
trip hazards by ensuring that tools and • Pedestrian walkways
equipment are not out of place. • Exit routes
• Glow-in-the-dark markers
Floor marking is an excellent way to • “Keep Area Clear” signs

reinforce other safety information that may • Safety equipment/PPE
have been overlooked or forgotten. Adding signs
messages and symbols to the floor that • Trip hazard alerts
may already • Mechanical hazard alerts
be present on walls or equipment serve as
reminders. For example, “Watch for Forklift
• Electrical hazard alerts
Traffic” or “PPE Required Area” floor signs • Environmental hazard
can be placed at dangerous locations. alerts
• Noise hazard alerts
While most industrial facilities already employ
• Emergency egress inline
floor marking for safety purposes, few have
printed tape
studied ways to improve the effectiveness of
their existing visual communication
• “Look left” floor sign
strategies. Smart, creative floor marking is • “Stop” floor sign
an integral piece of this puzzle, enhancing
the overall safety of a facility when
combined with signage and labeling.

3
7
Improving Efficiency
A workplace where employees or visitors

can easily understand how an area Some examples of floor
operates based on signs, labels, and other marking for efficiency:
visual cues is often referred to as a visual • Proper locations of tools and
workplace. equipment
These cues can include placards on
• Visual cues for different work
walls and/or machinery showing areas: finished goods,
operating procedures, equipment labels, works in progress, scrap,
signs with important reminders, and etc.
inventory level markers, as well as floor • Dedicated recycle, trash, or
markings. red tag areas
Most large, profitable manufacturing
• Reminders of 5S or lean
companies have created visual workplaces,
initiatives in the form of floor
as visuals are key to lean manufacturing signs
and 5S processes. By placing critical
• Directional arrows, which
workplace information where it is needed, will help employees and
these companies have experienced less visitors navigate your facility
‘lost time’ related to employee confusion more quickly
and errors. • Bilingual messaging
Floor marking is a key part of creating a

visual workplace because it makes the
space easier to understand. And an easier-
to-understand workplace is a more
efficient and productive workplace.

3
8
Standards and Regulations
OSHA Clarifications
One of the top OSHA violations is “Walking/Work Surface Violations” with an average fine of
$1,632 per individual violation. These violations are issued when areas where employees
walk or work are not clearly marked to identify safe pathways or highlight dangers. OSHA
Standard 1910.22 dictates that all companies mark these areas to prevent accidents.
Even though fines for

violations can be
common, few U.S.
governmental regulations
exist that apply to floor
marking. OSHA
documents mention floor
marking only twice, which
can lead to confusion
about the subject.
OSHA CFR 1910.22,

titled “Walking-Working
Surfaces,” reads
simply:
“Permanent aisles
and passageways
shall be appropriately
marked.”
marking aisles and passageways may be used. (A dirt floor, for example, would be
practically
OSHA has clarified in follow-up interpretations that while floor markings are usually the least
impossible to paint
expensive and mostorconvenient
apply tapeway
to.) of meeting this requirement, other methods appropriate
for
More FREE Safety and Lean guides creativesafetysupply.com/guides

available
Floor Marking Color Guidelines
Yellow Aisleways & Traffic Lanes; Paths of Egress; Work Cells
Production; Racks, Machines, Carts, Benches, &

White
Other Equipment
Red Defect/Scrap Area; Red Tag Area
Orange Material or Product Inspection; Energized Equipment
Green Materials & Manufacturing: Finished Goods
Blue Materials & Manufacturing: Raw Materials
Black Materials & Manufacturing: Works in Progress
Black & Yellow Areas which present physical or health risks to employees
Red & White Areas to be kept clear for safety reasons
Black & White Areas to be kept clear for operational purposes
These color code recommendations are widely accepted and comply with any interpretation
of OSHA or American National Standards Institute (ANSI) codes.
This scheme isn’t set by any specific law, so it can be modified to fit the needs of
specific facilities. It is a useful starting point for most applications.
If modified, post a color guide in a conspicuous location.

10
10
Line Width Guidelines
To ensure maximum visibility, the required minimum width for facility aisle and floor
marking lines is 2”. Therefore, any width above that is considered acceptable by OSHA and
ANSI.
2” 3” 4” 6”+
Most typical applications use tape or painted lines with 2” - 6” widths .

Widths above 6” tend to be much more cost prohibitive and impractical to apply.
Aisle Width Guidelines
“Sufficient safe clearances” must be provided where mechanical equipment is used. The
width required will vary depending upon how the aisle is utilized in the workplace. Aisles that
see forklift and truck traffic will need to be wider than aisles for pedestrian traffic.
A good average aisle width is 36 inches.
Storage rooms containing flammable and combustible liquids must have aisles at least
36 inches wide.
Additionally, for emergency exit access points, 28 inches is the minimum allowed width.

10
11
Choosing the Best Method
Advancements in adhesive tape technology make floor marking tape a preferable alternative
to floor paint in many industrial facilities.
Floor Paints Industrial Floor Tapes
• Fumes require ventilation, PPE,

• No fumes
possible facility shutdown
• Dry time required • No dry time
• Spills possible • No spills
• Difficult straight or curved lines • Easy straight or curved lines
• Requires extensive prep time • Quick and easy prep
• Requires brushes, rollers, sprayers,

• Minimal tools/accessories
compressors, masking, drop cloths, etc.
• Disruption of work/space
• Minimal if any work interruption
for extended periods
• Requires pre-treatment of • Conforms to uneven surfaces

rough surfaces like concrete, asphalt, tile, brick
• Time consuming application • Quickly applied
• Requires abrasive machine and/or harsh

• Easily removed
chemicals for removal

10
12
Traffic Levels
All facilities have different levels of traffic and different hazards, so know what kind of
traffic exists in the area you plan to mark before choosing your marking materials.
Using the chart below, determine which traffic level best describes your scenario.
Light Medium Heavy Extreme
• Non-traffic • Regular foot • Heavy forklift • Constant

areas traffic traffic forklift
traffic
• Infrequent foot • Some cart or • Constant foot
traffic pallet jack traffic • Forklift wheel
traffic pivoting
• No carts or • Heavy cart
pallet • Infrequent or pallet jack • Dragging
jacks forklift or traffic pallets or
light-duty other items
• No trucks truck traffic • Regular floor
cleaning or • Class 4+
• No forklifts • Potential for scrubbing truck traffic
water
• Minimal or no and/or • Class 2+ • Agressive
water chemical truck traffic floor cleaners/
contact contact scrubbers
• Water and/or
• No chemical • Occasional chemical • Any other
contact floor cleaning contact major floor
or scrubbing hazards

10
13
Tape Grades
Different floor marking tapes exist to meet the varying needs of your facility.
There are light-duty tapes perfect for temporary marking or for areas that don’t see
signifcant traffic from employees or equipment. There are tapes that can withstand repeated
abuse from forklifts, chemicals, and other industrial hazards. There are even tapes that are
virtually indestructible.
Take a look at the following pages to see more information about the different grades of
tape available.

10
14
Economy Vinyl Tapes
Pros
Economy vinyl tapes (often simply
• Low price point
referred to a s “vinyl tapes”) are
multipurpose tapes used for a number of • Available in widths under 2 inches
light-duty floor marking applications.
They are also used to mark desks and
workspaces and for color coordination. A Cons
common economy vinyl tape is electrical
• Limited durability
tape.
• No removable backing liner
Many non-industrial, low-traffic, and • Can easily stretch during installation

office facilities are able to use these
• Difficult to apply straight lines
tapes for areas without hazards such as
forklifts, pallet jacks, spills, and industrial • Unable to adhere to textured or
floor cleaners. porous surfaces
Common economy vinyl tapes include:
• 3M 471 Tape
• Creative Safety Supply “5S Vinyl Tape”
Recommended
for traffic Light
level:

10
15
Industrial Floor Tapes
Pros
Industrial floor tapes are heavy duty tapes
• Strong material, no stretching
typically made from PVC material and
ranging between 0.02” and 0.15” in • Removable backing liner
thickness. Most industrial tapes feature a
low-profile and a beveled edge, allowing • Powerful adhesive
small-wheeled carts to easily pass over
• Can resist heavy traffic, forklifts
lines.
• Long lifespan
These tapes are specifically engineered

to withstand heavy traffic conditions Cons
such as those found in warehouses,
• Higher price point than economy vinyl
manufacturing floors, and other tough
environments where heavy equipment like • May be compromised by a combination
forklifts and class 4 trucks operate. of extreme weight and pivoting (i.e.
large forklift tires turning on tape lines)
Once applied, many of these tapes are
also resistant to water and chemicals,
which can be crucial for facilities whose Common industrial floor tape lines include:
floors are regularly cleaned with industrial
• SafetyTac®
scrubbers.
• SafetyTac® Lean
These floor tapes will outlast painted • Brady ToughStripe
lines in most cases.
• Smart Stripe Tape
• SafetyTac® Inline Printed Tape
Light
Medium
Recommended
for traffic
Heavy
level:

10
16
Specialized Floor Tapes
Pros
Specialized industrial floor tapes are
• Highly resistant to specific hazards
engineered to withstand specific hazards
that may compromise regular industrial • Extremely durable
floor tapes, the most common being
damage from a combination of extreme • Powerful adhesive
weight paired with pivoting directly on the
• Easy application
tape.
• Long lifespan
Even a tough industrial tape can melt or
smear when a heavy vehicle plants a tire
directly on it and pivots its wheel Cons
repeatedly. While not usually a problem,
this can be an issue in facilities with • Typically highest price point
constant, extreme equipment or vehicle
traffic. To combat this, extra-dense, rigid
tapes exist to withstand that extreme
Common specialized floor tape lines include:
pressure and heat.
• SafetyTac® 2.0
Floor tapes are also available that
combine the toughness of industrial floor • SafetyTac® GRIP
tapes with the “grit” or “grip” of anti-slip
floor tapes.
Light
Medium
Heavy
Recommended
for traffic Extreme
level:

10
17
Virtual Floor Marking
Pros
Virtual floor marking products provide
• Fast installation
an innovative option when you can’t
apply floor tapes or floor paint. These • No replacing, retouching, or repainting
products use high power LED light to
create virtual signs, which you can shine • Simple to relocate
onto the floor both indoors and
• Environmentally friendly
outdoors.
Virtual signs are a great solution for areas

that receive an extreme amount of traffic,
where your traditional floor tape and Cons
signs may get torn up. With virtual signs,
you can mark the area clearly without • High price point
worrying about your visual
communications fading over time. You’ll
be able to display signs in different
Common virtual floor marking lines include:
colors, including red and yellow, which
makes it excellent for crosswalks and • SignCast™ S200
stop signs.
• SignCast™ S300
Not only do these virtual markings
improve safety, they also reduce waste,
enhance quality control, and make a
minimal impact on the environment.
Light
Medium
Heavy
Recommended
traffic
Extreme
level:
Shop all the SignCast® virtual floor signs creativesafetysupply.com/signcast-virtual-signs/

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Featuring a low profile and dual beveled edges, SafetyTac® 2.0
allows small-wheeled carts and foot traffic to pass over lines
with ease and without presenting any tripping hazards
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Floor Marking Tips
While floor marking is a relatively simple procedure, it’s best to avoid the temptation to
start placing tape on the floor immediately. To ensure you get the best results in your
facility, spend some time considering options and developing a site-wide plan.
Get the most out of your floor marking:
 Solicit employee input for floor marking improvements.
 Develop detailed location plans before laying the first piece of tape.
 To avoid confusion, use as few colors as possible.
 Select colors and color patterns that are easy to recognize and distinguish .
Simple and bright is best.
 Avoid colors and patterns too close to existing safety markings.
 Do not cover access doors, electrical outlets, and important equipment with floor
markings.
 Colors chosen for pathways should not be used for other

floor marking applications.
 Continuous lines of tape are not always needed. In many cases, corner markers are
sufficient to show the edges of an area.
 Post your floor marking color code in a conspicuous location and train all
employees on your new system.
 Be aware that in some cases, colored floor tape alone may not be sufficient. Keep an
eye out for situations when additional visual communication, such as floor signs or
inline printed tape, may be required.
 To determine which type of floor marking is best for you, take careful consideration of
the traffic levels in your facility. This alone will be a large factor in selecting the type
of floor tape, floor signs, or virtual signs that you need.

20
20
Glow-in-the-Dark Floor Marking
The use of photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) technology has increased dramatically

in commercial and industrial facilities. In some regions it is a legal requirement. Why?
These materials clearly highlight egress pathways during power outages or smoky
conditions.
Phosphorescent tape is a type of photo-luminescent tape that absorbs energy from a light
source during normal operating situations and then releases that energy as ‘glow’ when the
light source is removed. The ‘glow’ provided, while not sufficient to illuminate an area, will
make paths and doors visible if the lights go out.
Largely as the result of a report indicating that glow-in-the-dark markings in the World Trade
Center buildings played a crucial role in leading survivors to safety, in 2004, New York City
approved a building code law making phosphorescent markings mandatory at exit doors
and in emergency exit stairwells of commercial high-rise buildings over 75 feet.
New York’s initiative has been adopted as a model for other cities and organizations across
the country, including the California Building Code (CABC), the International Code Council
(ICC), the State of Connecticut, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Shop all the Glow-in-the Dark floor tape and creativesafetysupply.com/glow-tape/

Floor Marking Signs
A variety of industries have begun to incorporate floor marking signs to enhance their visual
communications. These signs can be used for wide variety of applications, from area
awareness to reinforcing traffic patterns. They also identify the location of specific safety
items, such as fire extinguishers, and indicate which way to look as workers approach an
intersection in your facility.
With pictograms, colors, and symbols that are OSHA compliant, floor signs are an excellent
addition to any existing floor marking program. They can also be used to enhance the
organization of your workplace by indicating red tag areas, pointing out the storage of specific
tools, and more. When implemented alongside floor tape, these signs help improve both safety
and efficiency.
This type of floor marking sign was

specifically designed to be applied
alongside floor tape; each sign has
a flat side that is meant to directly
align with either a vertical or
horizontal section of floor tape .
They’re created with low-profile
material that withstands forklift
and pedestrian traffic, and matches
evenly with floor tape to prevent
tripping hazards .
Shop all the floor creativesafetysupply.com/Floor-Sign/

signs
SafetyTac® Inline Printed Tape
Floor marking is essential to a successful visual communications system, and floor tape
that conveys specific messaging can further enhance the safety and efficiency of your
workplace. Inline printed tape has custom messaging that can be used in a variety of
situations. It warns against potential hazards, indicates emergency egress, reminds workers
to put safety first, and marks out areas for trash and recycling. All of this keeps your
workers safe and helps them navigate, making your facility more efficient overall.
These messages can be bilingual, in English, or in other languages such as Spanish to ensure
that everyone in your facility is accommodated and able to receive communication about the
safety of their environment. Inline printed tape is also fully customizable, meaning you can
label your facility with tape that’s relevant to your unique environment, or create floor marking
lines that have your company’s logo embedded.
Like other types of floor marking, inline printed floor tape was designed to hold up to heavy
traffic, whether from vehicles or pedestrians, and is resistant to spills. Its reinforced adhesive
stays in place for years, so you’ll have it for as long as all of your other floor markings.
Shop all the SafetyTac® Inline Tape creativesafetysupply.com/safetytac-inline-printed-tape/

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Floor Marking

Why Mark Your Floors? . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Applications ........................ 4 Safety and Efficiency

Improvements . . . . . . . . . . 7 Standards and

Regulations ............... 9 Choosing the Best Method ........

........ 12 Floor Marking Tips .................... 20 Glow-in-the-

Dark Floor Marking ............. 21 Floor Marking Signs . .

Floor Marking Guide www.creativesafetysupply.com/guides | 1-866-777-1360

Floor Marking Guide | creativesafetysupply.com

It is critical to visually alert employees and visitors to potentially hazardous areas.

 Areas in a building that contain a known hazard, such as toxic chemicals or

 Potentially hazardous equipment or machinery

Floor Marking Guide | creativesafetysupply.com

Considered a key component

Equipment and Tools

Placing outlines around equipment and tools is another common application

Floor Marking Guide | creativesafetysupply.com

The most common application of floor

Marking emergency exit routes using

Floor markings are a visual

Floor Marking Guide | creativesafetysupply.com

Floor marking creates a safer work area by

Floor marking is an excellent way to • “Keep Area Clear” signs

Floor Marking Guide | creativesafetysupply.com

A workplace where employees or visitors

Floor marking is a key part of creating a

Floor Marking Guide | creativesafetysupply.com

Even though fines for

OSHA CFR 1910.22,

More FREE Safety and Lean guides creativesafetysupply.com/guides

Yellow Aisleways & Traffic Lanes; Paths of Egress; Work Cells

Production; Racks, Machines, Carts, Benches, &

Red Defect/Scrap Area; Red Tag Area

Orange Material or Product Inspection; Energized Equipment

Green Materials & Manufacturing: Finished Goods

Blue Materials & Manufacturing: Raw Materials

Black Materials & Manufacturing: Works in Progress

Red & White Areas to be kept clear for safety reasons

Black & White Areas to be kept clear for operational purposes

If modified, post a color guide in a conspicuous location.

Floor Marking Guide | creativesafetysupply.com

Most typical applications use tape or painted lines with 2” - 6” widths .

Aisle Width Guidelines

A good average aisle width is 36 inches.

Floor Marking Guide | creativesafetysupply.com

Floor Paints Industrial Floor Tapes

• Fumes require ventilation, PPE,

• Dry time required • No dry time

• Spills possible • No spills

• Difficult straight or curved lines • Easy straight or curved lines

• Requires extensive prep time • Quick and easy prep

• Requires brushes, rollers, sprayers,

• Requires pre-treatment of • Conforms to uneven surfaces

• Time consuming application • Quickly applied

• Requires abrasive machine and/or harsh

Floor Marking Guide | creativesafetysupply.com

Light Medium Heavy Extreme

• Non-traffic • Regular foot • Heavy forklift • Constant

Floor Marking Guide | creativesafetysupply.com

Floor Marking Guide | creativesafetysupply.com

Many non-industrial, low-traffic, and • Can easily stretch during installation

Common economy vinyl tapes include:

• Creative Safety Supply “5S Vinyl Tape”